Two Coyotes Wilderness School is offering two nature-based theater camps, “Wild Theater” for ages 8 to 14, and “Magical Theater” for ages 5 to 7, later this month. In both camps the wilderness is the stage and students become part of the unfolding story of nature, according to the school. The two-weeklong Wild Theater summer camp runs from July 20 to July 31; the weeklong Magical Theater camp offers two sessions, Session I from July 20 to 24 and Session II from July 27 to 31. Each camp day runs from 9 am to 3 pm.

Two Coyotes Wilderness School offers kids aged 5 to 16 unique, ongoing, year-round outdoor programs, as well as summer camps. The school's philosophy is derived from the book Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature. The school’s Newtown programs are held at Sticks and Stones Farm, 201 Huntingtown Road.

Karianna Rosenberg , lead instructor for the Magical Theater camp, said, “Both the performing arts and nature enhance the holistic development of children. Dance, storytelling, drama, and nature all facilitate cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development. Connecting with nature on a heart and soul level allows one to know oneself better.”

The camps both honor a Two Coyotes mentor, Chris Engstrom, who in 2010 dreamed of creating a nature-based theater camp for kids. He envisioned each act happening in different natural settings and the children creating masks from natural materials to act out stories inspired by their environment and native mythology. In 2012, at age 41, Chris was struck with ALS, a degenerative neurological disease, that has taken him out of the forest, but he continues to paint and write poetry. Besides being a mentor, he has been a local artist of the New Haven area for the past decade. Mr Engstrom’s art reflects his love of nature and its contrast to the fabricated environment, often including mixed media and natural elements. While Mr Engstrom is not be able to be a field instructor at the Wild Theater or Magical Theater camp, his vision and creativity have informed the creation of these truly unique summer camp experiences, according to the school.

In addition to Ms Rosenberg, Heather Henson, the daughter of The Muppets creator Jim Henson, is sponsoring performing artist Adelka Polak to teach the Wild Theater camp.

Ms Polak’s live performances combine dance, puppetry, masks, and installations that create compelling dramatic experiences for the audience, according to the school. Ms Polak is the founder and artistic director of SOVA Dance and Puppet Theater.

“Puppetry, dance, and masks communicate that which cannot be described in words,” said Ms Polak said, adding, “Nature is the source from which art is derived with love being the constant energy moving us forward with motivation and intention.”

For more information about the camps or registration visit the Two Coyotes website at twocoyotes.org. All camps are limited in size.